Merry Christmas

Cib's First Christmas was everything I hoped it would be and more! He is at a magical age where he is very aware of his surroundings and just lights up at the sight of me, which selfishly melts my heart. He was of course showered with gifts and love. I personally had a wonderful Christmas, but can honestly say that my best gift comes every day when I dress, bath and coo at my precious little miracle. A year ago I had just lost the twins and spent my days praying for the Lord to watch over a little baby I loved so much and yet had never met. Today I count him as on one of my richest and most undeserved blessings. He is a miracle and I am SO thankful for him.

7th Annual Christmas Date

Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail

We had a small Christmas gathering in our home last week. It brought us such joy to have our home filled with joy and laughter.

December Update

I wanted to give everyone some updates. My mom is back in rehab at East Texas Medical Tyler and is doing well. My dad is resting and getting better every day. Please continue prayers for my families health and that my mom will have unearthly strength, joy and understanding during this time.

Here is my mom's new address at rehab. I know she would appreciate words of encouragement.

Renee Templeton Room 305
c/o ETMC Rehabilitation Center
701 Olympic Plaza Circle
Tyler, Texas 75701

SO many of you have been angels to me during this time. Heather, Natasha, Nancy and my sweet husband - Thank you! Your investment of time and prayer for me is felt and is truly getting me through each day.

The Lord has blessed us with some sweet moments of friends and laughter despite the whirlwind of recent activity. I hope you enjoy the pictures!

Cib has a new big boy toy! Did I mention it constantly plays music?!?!

Look mom! My feet!

Finally cold enough for baby uggs!!

Happy 5 month birthday Cibbers!

Cib tried yogurt this morning for the first time. You can guess how he
felt about it.

Small joys

Well my dad has just been discharged and is headed home to rest.
Please continue prayers for my family and my dads recovery.

It's snowing!!

Thank you lord for this small joy!

Another room change

We have finally settled in room 546 and daddy is resting peacefully.
Thank u for all ur prayers. Hopefully with radical food and diet
change this will our last heart scare.

In other family news my mom has been approved to move forward with her
return to inpatient therapy asap. Please begin to pray for her
transition back into rehab. This will most likely mean she will b in
over Christmas. She would be allowed a day pass home that day. Please
pray for all logistics and strength for my mom. And that dad will use
this time for rest and healing.

Sorry room 526

We are headed to room 545 building e

Stints in

They found a third blockage and placed three stints.

Update

Just talked to doctor. My dad has had two blockages. Two stints will
be placed in the left ventricles of his heart. This will hapen here in
a few minutes. He will stay here tonight. More later.

He went back at noon

Update

My daddy got a bed around midnight last night. I went home to grab a
few hours sleep and get a much needed hug from my sweet baby.

The procedure is scheduled for 1130 today. Please pray that this is
just stress related chest pain, the doc says that is best case
scenario. They will enter through his leg and run a catheder up to his
heart and flush it with dye. This will allow them to check for new
blockage and status on previous stint flow.

My grandparents are on their way with mom in tow. Today begins my
brothers finals at SFA. Please pray for him. He has had a rough set of
odds for his first semester. It began with my moms accident and is
ending with this. I am proud of him either way for his diligence to c
it through and not give up when so many would.

Update

We finally talked to the doctor. My dad is scheduled for a cath
tomorrow at 1130 am. All beds are full here so we will be sleeping in
the er.

Update

We are waiting to talk to cardiologist. Because of my dads heart
history they are taking him to the cath lab as soon as there is
availability. This will b tonight or tomorrow.

This will mean bed rest for at least 7 days. With my mom this will
make things complicated. Please pray for logistics. More updates
later. Btw- we r at medical city Dallas

He needs a new heart cath

EKG normal

They have drawn blood to check enzymes. My dad is very stressed and
scared. Will keep updating.

EKG in progress

Urgent Prayer Request

I cant even believe this is happening...My dad who has had two previous heart attacks is currently on his way to Dallas with what could be a possible third. PLEASE pray for my sweet daddy. He is so exhausted and scared. My mom is at home with my grandmother and thankfully Nancy, my mother in law, was already coming for a visit to spend time with Cib. I will update the blog as I find out more info.

A good day

Well the last few days have been SO much better! The Lord has really been blessing me with the 'small things'. Little moments with Cib that are forever etched in my mind, time with a good girlfriend, a few good work outs, and today so far...I have worked out, folded three loads of laundry, finally unpacked our suitcases from Thanksgiving (Yes, I know), Made Organic Baby Food for Bits, showered, done the dishes and all before 9 a.m.! Thank you Jesus for multipling my time!! And you thank you guys for saying a few extra prayers for me!

Cib rolled over for the first time today!! Twice!! YEA!

Count your blessings instead of sheep.

After months of hard work...ta-da!

I know most of u moms out there can appreciate how much some babies
hate tummy time and how it breaks your heart to watch them struggle at
such an early hour. However, once u see them push all the way up and
smile-- it's all worth it. This is the first of what I am sure will be
many lessons- that some times being a mom means encouraging your
children to do the uncomfortable to achieve a great accomplishment.

Story time with daddy & harry

Blah Blah Blah

I have been sitting here staring at this blank screen thinking, no body wants to hear what is going on because I don't have anything positive to report. But...ugh....it is more for me than you that I write today. I need some outlet to say WHAT THE HECK!!! Things seem so unfair right now! My mom's legs were taken from her and it is unfair! There - I have said it! This sucks! It breaks my heart to watch/listen to her daily in more constant pain then I can humanly imagine enduring. She is depressed and rightfully so. I think she, like me, in some dark corner of her mind thought this will pass. She has been SO strong and diligent. Now, she is tired, she feels broken, betrayed by her own body, and all together empty. I want so badly to rewind time. Please Lord, let me rewind to that day. Let me help her be some where else, doing something else. But I can't. (And yes I know that the Lord does have a plan and that this will be better) I also know I am human and I grieve like a human.

Thanksgiving was supposed to be a hallmark day of family, smiles, rejoicing...blah blah blah. It turned out to be nothing like that. My mom was in so much pain and so sad that she couldn't be doing all things we has traditionally done for years. I was stretched thin from preparing most of the Thanksgiving meal, watching a sick baby, trying to stay up-beat, and ended up with food poisoning and throwing up from about 24 hours. My dad's back is killing him. He is sleeping (or trying to) in a recliner chair in the living room. He looks tired and spent. My brother seems to think that right now is a good time to plan a wedding for himself and his bride to be of 19! And my sweet husband couldn't hardly be pried from an all day college football-athon. Whew!

I recount all of this to you for my own therapy and to beg of you for more prayers. My family feels broken. I pray pray pray that the Lord will take my mother's pain and restore her joy. I pray that my daddy will find relief and rest. I pray that my brother will be wise in major decisions. I pray that my sweet baby's ear infection and cold will go away soon. I pray that my husband can read my mind and know exactly when I need to hear that this too will pass. I see this list of wants and think, what more can I ask for? The Lord has given me a beautiful baby and a best friend I am lucky to call my husband. He has spared my parent's lives on multiple occasions. We have a home, friends who love us and for now Austin has a job. Do you see my dilemma? I want to cry out WHY?! but followed by a hardy THANK YOU!

Soooo I guess my real prayer is that the Lord will blind me and my family to a current list of Oh Crap's and magnify my list of Praise God's.

Party Canceled

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. I would ask that you continue to pray for healing for my mom and family. My mom has been at Baylor Dallas with a bladder infection and is home today for Thanksgiving. Due to these complications we have decided to postpone her coming home party. My mom is so sad and came to this decision with much angst but I have assured her we would all want to wait until she is feeling better and can enjoy herself. Thank you all again for your support and understanding.

I hope each of you are truly blessed today with much to be thankful for. I know I personally am very thankful for a loving husband, our gorgeous angel boy - Cib, a host of incredible friends and family -specifically my mom and her miraculous presence here today, and Austin's job - when so many are without. Thank you Lord for so much that I am so undeserving of.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Mom Update

Sorry I have fallen down on the job of posting mom updates. I arrived out in Eustace yesterday in time for the funeral of my great uncle. (Not an ideal start to holiday fun, but great to see relatives I havent seen in 10 years)

Mom has been approved for a 90 day in patient rehab stint starting in Jan/Feb of next year. She doesnt reallly want to talk about it because it is so hard for her to imagine leaving her home again but knows it is what is necessary and good to get as strong as possible asap. Please pray for strength and bravery for my sweet mom.

Today was a bit of a exhausting one. We set out for a day of cooking with three generations (My grandmother, my mom, me, and Cib -- wait that is four generations!) It is my turn to learn the family recipe for making Thanksgiving Dressing. (aka Stuffing for you Northerners) We were also preparing dressing to donate to meals on wheels for 100 people...all in all a day of bonding and cooking.....Oh but it didnt quite turn out that way. My mom had a 'quick' doctors appt this morning that turned into a little adventure. She ended up having a very severe bladder infection and being dehydrated. So we set out for the ER in Athens TX for IV fluids and antibiotics. Once I got my mom's chair put together and got her into the ER we were shown to a space no larger than a closet...literally. My mom couldn't get into the 'room' into her chair. To boot, the person in the 'curtain area' next to ours was throwing her guts up and the one next to her was a woman screaming, "I don't want any f****** shots!"....oh my! I then had it out with the meanest nurse ever and took my mom back to the car and we headed for Baylor Dallas. On top of all of that Cib has his first cold :( All sniffles and coughs.

All in all everything worked out. My mom got the antibiotics and fluids she needed and is home feeling much better, my grandmother taught me to make dressing and Cib is asleep.

Wheww......HAPPY THANKSGIVING! :) I pray that my family can have a truly joyful Thanksgiving of celebration and memories. We are very blessed!

She has done it again!!

Merry Christmas Ya'll
www.meenajeanesphotography.com/cibs1stchristmas

Cutey-pa-toots

Finally a captured smile!

Playtime!

Cib at 4 months

Yesterday was the dreaded 4 month check up with Dr. Fernandez that includes shots :( My sweet boy had his little heart broken when he got all five of his shots! And Austin didnt seem thrilled to be getting a flu shot either.

Cib is actually a little lighter than I thought. He weighs 19 pounds and 3 ounces in the 98% for his age and measures 27 inches long also in the 98%. When we asked the doctor about Cib's weight he said, "well, I like to see my patients weigh 20 pounds.....at their 1 year check up!" I guess Cib is doing fine. :)

We are having to once again up his food intake, including starting solids. Rice cereal, apple sauce and some light veggies will be introduced to Cib's diet over the next couple weeks - fun!

Here are some of the fun moments we have captured over the last week or so: Austin's birthday, good times with Granny Nanny, putting up the Christmas tree (yes I know, it is early, but I can't help myself) and keeping warm on cold Dallas mornings.

Mommy & Cabral

Mommy out and about

Mommy & Cib go to nutcracker market in Houston

Back to normal?

Well I think we can all say we are ready for a little normalcy in our lives. However the last few days with my family have shown us that we will all need to find a new normal. I look forward, anxiously, to that.

My parents are almost finished installing hardwood floors in their home so mom can get around the house with more ease. Thank you Faith Construction for your generous gift of time! My mom and I had a fun day Friday. We went to Wal-Mart in Gun Barrel City-- Major Outing! Then to a local tea room for lunch. I managed to get both Cib and my mom in their respective chairs and into the restaurant, just in time for Cib to poop all in his seat, clothes...even his shoes. We all had a good laugh. Even my mom was a good sport...I put her wheel chair together wrong (first time) and the wheels wobbled every where we went. I am just thankful they didnt fall off!

I am so thankful my mom is home. But honestly my heart is incredibly heavy. There are many big challenges ahead of our family. A great sense personally of being torn. I want to be the best I can as a mother, wife and daughter...not to mention all the other roles I play. I dont want to let anyone down or miss one precious moment. Please pray for strength and clarity for me. I feel so selfish even asking, but some days the tasks are so enumerable that I can not even start. I just want to be a new mother. I want to soak up the son I have waited so long to meet. Thank you for your prayers for myself and my family.

I hope that very soon I can go back to the fun posts of a new mother.

Mom's home coming

Whew!! What an exhausting day. My mom has made it home. Today wasvery
emotional and exhausting for all. Please pray we all rest well tonight
(especially that my mom and cib will rest without interuption) because
tomorrow will be a long day with work men here early to install hard
wood floors at my parents house. More later- drained and exhausted.

Mom's Trip Home

My mom's trip home was good medicine for her soul! Here are some photos. She is looking very forward to Thursday when she will go home for good. My dad has poured a special side walk leading to my grandparents house next door. Welcome Home Mom!

Happy halloween!

Happy Halloween !!

Looking forward to coming home!

As we begin to prepare for mom's release from the hospital she is making some major accomplishments! She has transferred (moved) from her bed to her chair and from her chair to a car! This is a major victory! Praise the Lord! Yesterday she got in a contraption that stood her up, another victory! This coming weekend she will be able to go home for a few hours on a day pass. This is a crucial visit. She is to spend the time going around the house and identifying challenges so that she can spend her last week at rehab working on those specific things. She said she is also looking forward to taking a nap in the same bed with my daddy.

Last night the Lord blessed me with a sweet moment with my mom. We had a chance to read the word together and pray. My mom continues to ask for prayers of strength and for the Lord to make clear His plans for her. That she might smile in a time of trial and that others might see this and the Lord be glorified.

My mom will be able to go home on Nov. 4th or within a week of that date. She is very excited about celebrating life with everyone who has prayed for her! Please mark your calendars: Nov. 29th at 4 p.m. We will be having a Celebrate Life Party to welcome mom home. There will be a bonfire, winnie roast, chili and lots of laughing! I will be sending out an evite but if I do not have your email and you would like to join us please just send me an email at amber@fatheree.info so we will know how many people to plan on. Please know our family sincerely welcomes you to thank you for your prayers.

I had to capture this face!

Thank u Mary grace for the fun stickers to decorate mom's brace

Mom gets some fresh fall air.

My mom got to go to the grocery store yesterday and LOVED it! Friday,
tomorrow she is cooking a mexican meal for nine other patients with
their help. She got to pick the menu and everything. She is now
looking forward to cominng home and doing the things she enjoyed before.

A picture worth a thousand words

I am sitting here holding my beautiful boy with tears in my eyes. In a
time when life is busy and full of things that require wisdom beyond
my years, God gives me these moments.

Cib 3 months, 1 week

update

We have had a long couple days but tomorrow starts a new week and we are looking forward to that. My mom's medicine has again gone a rye. We spent the last few days getting her back to 'normal' and most of the drugs out of her system. Thank you for your prayers, my mom said she can feel them. She has been able to go out side some in her wheel chair and that breaths new life in her. I just got off the phone with her and she asked that pass along what a HUGE encouragement the cards are that she receives. I would ask that you send my mom a card. She draws such strength from each one. She prays for each recipient. Here is her address:

Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation (BIR)

c/o Renee Templeton Room 415

3505 Gaston Ave
Dallas, TX 75246

Please pray that as the new week starts that my mom will have renewed strength and purpose. That she will be a light to her therapists, nurses, doctors and other patients. That the Lord will use her to shine His light into this dark world.

She has asked for any women who might want to read the bible to her (due to all the meds her vision is a little blurry) to feel free and come to visit. She would love to have the bible read to her, discuss it and pray. Doesnt matter if you have met my mom before or not.

Thank you again for ALL the prayers. Please keep them coming...for my mom, my dad, myself, Austin and Cib and my brother Russell. What an overwhelming time...but I know that it is in these times that the Lord is at work and that is something to rejoice over.

Cib's first rice cereal

Prayer Requests

Today after a meeting with the doctors my mom is not in a good place. The insurance company sets goals that my mom has to meet weekly or she can be sent home for 'not making progress'. My mother is trying her very hardest and very skips therapies and works on her own on Saturdays and Sundays. PLEASE pray that the doctors and insurance company will be gracious to my mom. That the Lord will bless my mom with peace, take her anxiety away and calm the muscle spasms in her back so that she can strive to meet each weekly goal.

Last night my friend Paige came and did mom's nails and brought us a delicious dinner. Thank you Paige! It was above and beyond! It really lifted mom's spirits.

Yesterday we took Cib to the doctor for an eczema (sp?) check up. He weighs 16 pounds and 11 ounces! The doctor is having me start rice cereal since we cant seem to get Cib's belly full on breast milk and formula alone. The doctor said, "Your boy is a haus!" :) We are so proud of our growing boy! Pictures to follow!

He Makes All Things New

My Great Uncle Dale carved this cross out of one of the branches from the tree that fell on my mom. It is a reminder to me and my family that the Lord makes all things new.

Hanging with mongo

Thank You!

Each card that is sent to my mom brightens her day in a way words can't express. Thank you for sending those words of encouragement. Keep it up! They told my mom she gets more fan mail than anyone else on the floor!